Date: Sun, 18 Dec 1994 12:42:44 +0100 (NFT) From: Bj|rn Skolander Readers of the Daily Express will have noted an item on page 2 with the title "Persecuted gays win right to seek asylum in Britain". It reports the decision of the Immigration Tribunal that sexuality will be treated in the same way as race and religion when grounds for admitting asylum seekers are considered. Conservative MP David Shaw is quoted as saying: "Most people in Britain will think this ruling is simply wrong. Asylum is based on protecting those who are persecuted or tortured because of their political or religious beliefs and most people recognise the need for genuine cases. I deplore anything which encourages homosexuality and being gay is about private conduct - it is just not the same as holding political or religious beliefs. This ruling makes no sense at all."